Overview
- Merteuil premiered on HBO Max on November 14 as a loose prequel tracing Isabelle’s transformation into the Marquise de Merteuil.
- Anamaria Vartolomei leads the cast with Vincent Lacoste, Diane Kruger and Lucas Bravo, in a series developed by Jean-Baptiste Delafon and directed by Jessica Palud.
- Reviews highlight a feminist reinterpretation that centers Merteuil’s survival in a patriarchal society and leans into literary language and period detail.
- Critics widely commend Vartolomei’s performance, costumes, photography and direction, while some fault the dialogue, certain casting choices and the explicit erotic tone.
- Outlets disagree on format, with reports of six episodes from some publications and eight from others, underscoring inconsistent technical details in early coverage.